World Famous Black Model and Actor racially profiled in Barneys

[HipChick]

A noteworthy addition to the chorus of people of color saying they’d been profiled at Barneys and elsewhere was megamodel Tyson Beckford. The fashion superstar happened to exit the department store while PIX11 was there. Beckford said, “I might have the most recognizable face in the world. I still get followed all the time any time I go to a store. It’s sad.”

He said that he regrets that “even though we have a black president,” young men of color have to assume they’ll be more closely watched in retail establishments. ”And it’s not just here,” Beckford told PIX11 News, it’s even at discount stores, he said.

Read more: http://pix11.com/2013/10/24/world-famous-model-tyson-beckford-says-even-he-is-racially-profiled-in-barneys/#ixzz2ivm6HrmT

The fact is, some of the people best known for stealing from stores are Lindsay Lohan and Winona Rider. Nobody fitting their descriptions responded to the Facebook question to say that they’d been profiled. So perhaps the most fitting comment came from shopper Alex Durant, an African American man in his 30s

PIX11 also went to the shopping corridor on Lexington Avenue above 57th Street, and asked people there if they’d been profiling targets.

“I work full time, have a decent job, but when they see me they don’t see that,” said Matt Rozier. ”They just see skin color. So yeah, it’s happened to me.”

Retail employee Gabriela Alejandro said that she’s never been targeted. Instead, she told PIX11 News, she’s seen how people shopping in the store where she works get targeted by staff. ”I’ve seen them stop them, or follow them,” she said. ”I’ve seen it happen a lot.”

Her observation was confirmed in a phone call PIX11 had with another viewer who works in retail. ”There’s a secret code [at our store],” the caller said, “that alerts the guys in the basement to go upstairs and follow the customer around.”

And not every person who responded to the PIX11 Facebook question is black. John Baer wrote, “I’m tiered of it im a father and grandfather now , my tattoo’s are clearly over 30 years old give me a break!”

[BumRushDaShow]

1. ”They just see skin color."

Applies to any person of color, from the lowest of the low all the way up to the head of the most powerful country on earth.

[demwing]

2. "I might have the most recognizable face in the world"

That's presumptuous!

It's horrible that people get racially profiled. No excuses allowed. But really! "the most recognizable face in the world" ???

Exactly whom does this dude think he is?

[WorseBeforeBetter]

10. Mr. Beckford seems to be a bit full of himself.

I must not get out much, cuz I have no idea who he is. (Google to the rescue!)

Still, racial profiling sucks.

[Matariki]

13. I thought he was just using a rhetorical device

as in: "I COULD have the most recognizable face in the world and still be profiled" because all that would be seen is skin color.

[demwing]

14. Possibly, but it struck me as arrogant

Fame doesn't confer innocence:



Anyway, I'm quibbling. Racial stereotyping sucks. End of segment.

[MineralMan]

3. That's one of the unrecognized things that make up

white privilege. We should recognize and own our privilege, whatever its cause, and understand that others do not automatically receive it. These recent stories have really pointed that out again for me.

It is a huge issue for many people who are recognizable for some ethnic or racial reason. It's real. It's horrible. It's something that can be changed, and should be.

[kelliekat44]

4. Why the hell would one shop there if they know this? nt

[MineralMan]

6. Why the hell would anyone expect to be

profiled in that way? Why should anyone have to avoid a store for that reason?

[malaise]

5. Here's my problem with these racist stores and black celebrities

Back in the day we boycotted them. Do not spend your money where you are not welcome.

[MineralMan]

7. You make a good point. Still,

this should not be happening, and I'm glad it's being exposed. Unconscionable.

[malaise]

8. I'm very glad it's being exposed

but if I am leaving or have left a store and am racially profiled, their goods will not reach my home. I will return every one of them and take back my money.
Fugg 'em.
I have to say we have never been racially profiled at Macy's. Indeed we go shopping after Thanksgiving and have even been offered off the floor service because big sis and I do our big shopping. Usually I look for the oldest lady on the floor who clearly needs the commission and once year I found the same lady and she was very happy. Last time we went the lady was from Denmark and she and big sis had a good time.

I am not giving people who hate me my money - it's that simple.

[MineralMan]

9. I can't blame you at all for that.

I'm just pissed that such a thing could happen today. I know it does, though, and it pisses me off.

[libdem4life]

11. These that made it public remind me of Rosa Parks on the bus. It was brave of them, and even though

these folk will hopefully get a nice settlement, they have empowered millions. I can see someone turning around to the Security Guard and nicely and politely asking him/her if they'd like to join them while shopping.

Shameful.

[Matariki]

12. I can imagine the overall effect that would have on a person

to be constantly treated with suspicion. It would wear me down and affect my self esteem if I let it.

Racism is a sickness in our society we really need to cure.